5 Star Review: Holding Strong
An up-and-coming MMA fighter wants more than just one night
from a woman fleeing her past in Lori’s irresistible new novel.
Heavyweight fighter Denver Lewis plays real nice, but he
doesn’t share. That’s why he’s been avoiding top-notch flirt Cherry Peyton. But
a man can only resist those lush curves for so long. Their encounter surpasses
all his fantasies, bringing out protective urges that Cherry’s about to need
more than she knows…
Denver’s combination of pure muscle and unexpected
tenderness has been driving Cherry wild. Yet no sooner does she get what she’s
been craving than old troubles show up on her doorstep. And this time, Cherry
can’t hide behind a carefree façade. Because the man by her side is one who’ll
fight like hell to keep her safe…if only she’ll trust him enough to let him…
I am officially hooked on this
series! Holding Strong is my first Lori Foster book, but it certainly won’t be
my last. The group this series is built around is easy to like and they
definitely make you want to know each of their stories.
Cherry
is a really fun heroine. I enjoyed her sweet innocence mixed with a witty sense
of humor, her fierce ability to love, and her strength of character. The events
of her past could have tainted her in a much harsher way, instead she is able
to recognize her feelings for Denver and pursue them. She indulges in having
friends and being unafraid by laughing and joking being a part of the rowdy
crowd. She still has deep insecurities, but they are quite understandable. I
always get frustrated with the characters who refuse to accept help because
they feel guilty for bringing the danger to their friends, or because they
don’t want to put their loved ones in harm’s way. I get it, but it still bugs
me. However, once she trusts Denver to help her out, I wanted to stand up and
cheer.
Denver
is sexy as heel, but sometimes he a real idiot. He stays away from Cherry
because of what he sees as “flirting” rather than just being laid back joking
and teasing with her friends. The truly ridiculous thing is that he only sees
it that way because he’s jealous. Whereas, if he’d stop being so obtuse, he’d
realize that she is actually pining after him and trying to drown her sorrow in
laughter. However, he is the kind of guy women sigh over. He takes care of
Cherry when she is sick, being incredibly sweet and caring. He is incredibly
protective, passionate, and a force to be reckoned with. His persistence in
drawing out Cherry’s secrets is admirable, not just because he wants her to be
open with him, but because he knows that it will help her move on, and to
completely trust him. I was pretty ticked at him for pushing her when he was
unwilling to share his own, but he finally does and I was able to breathe a
sigh of relief.
My
only issues with this book where 1. Denver’s use of the endearment “girl.” It
made them sound too young and immature, almost like teenagers. It didn’t strike
me as sweet or sexy. 2. The POV switched around a little more than I would have
liked. It wasn’t bad and it seemed to be setting up the next books, but from
time to time, it bothered me. I wasn’t really interested in some of the other
things going on at the moment, I wanted to focus on Denver and Cherry.
Over
all, I had a great time with this book. The story is engaging and interesting,
with enough suspense to keep you thinking, and enough steamy romance to have
you squirming. The sparks between Cherry and Denver are palpable, leaping right
off of the page! I’m definitely a fan of this series now and I’ll be going back
to read everyone else’s stories while I wait for Stack and Vanity’s. 4 fabulous
stars!
“Holding Strong will have you holding
your breath while burning fingers quickly turn the pages.”
“…a fun and sexy read. It has a touch of suspense to it as
well to keep the pace of the story going along.”
“The men of Foster’s Ultimate series may be powerful
fighters, but they are all heart, and none more so than the hero of this
installment. His unwavering support for his feisty, frightened heroine redeems
them both in time, but it is their searing chemistry that will hold readers’
attention.”
“Foster…manages to keep characters evolving throughout the
course of a novel, becoming true ‘heroes’ by the time ‘The End’ rolls around.”
The full series includes the following stories:
Hard Knocks
No Limits
Holding Strong
Tough Love
Fighting Dirty
Since first publishing in January 1996, Lori Foster has
become a USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly and New York Times bestselling author.
Lori has published through a variety of houses, including Kensington, St.
Martin’s, Harlequin, Silhouette, Samhain, and Berkley/Jove. She is currently
published with HQN.
Lori hosts a very special annual “Reader & Author” event
in West Chester, Ohio. Proceeds from the event have benefited many worthy
causes, including the Hamilton County YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter, the Animal
Adoption Foundation, The Conductive Learning Center for children with spina
bifida and cerebral palsy, and The One Way Farm, Children’s Home.
Each year Lori donates all proceeds from one book to
charity. You can see the benefit romance books here :http://lorifoster.com/benefit-books/
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